In recent years, extras in films have been photographed from every angle. To eventually be replaced by virtual images?
The emergence of technologies such as AI requires us to rethink the future of many professions, including those linked to audiovisual. Voice cloning is increasingly worrying those who work in dubbing, who see it as a mortal danger for their professions. For their part, extras can also legitimately be alarmed by the use that will be made in the future of their image by technology, which could well serve to replace them.
Actors increasingly requested for full photos
Is the audiovisual world initiating a fundamental change in its use of extras? This is what this report suggests France Info, who interviewed several of them having worked on different productions, such as the biopic on Charles de Gaulle or the adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo. According to their statements, more and more of them are being photographed from every angle behind a green background.
“ On the ground, there was a cross and we had to rotate around it 360°, face fixed, feet apart » thus indicated an actress. Photo taken which is generally not explained to the extras, unless they themselves start asking questions.
Extras are still needed…for now
“ These photographs are taken for the sole purpose of creating visual effects to augment the crowd effects in the background of the film’s scenes (…), in which no faces are used or recognizable on screen » explained the Pathé studio in an email to one of the actors.
The same studio nevertheless recognizes the need to clarify the use that will be made of these images in the future, even before the start of filming. As a reminder, one of the causes of the actors’ strike movement in the United States is the desire of producers to be able to scan the entire image of the actors and then use it for life, without compensation.
The fact remains that for the moment, the use of artificial intelligence is less profitable than the recruitment of an extra, according to a specialist interviewed by France Info. The future could, however, be less rosy. “ In ten years, there will perhaps be 10% of the fees we have today » says Nathalie Médrano, of the Association of Figures and Artistic Distribution Managers (ACFDA).
Source : France Info
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